But after a disappointing season for both the Lakers and Young, it would not be surprising to see him dangled in summer trade talks.
An effervescent free spirit and volume shooter under Mike D’Antoni, Young hasn’t fit in nearly as well with new Lakers coach Byron Scott. The swingman’s scoring has dropped from a career-high 18 points per game during his last campaign to a 13-point average this season.
Young has also dealt with injuries, from a broken thumb that required surgery to a current hairline fracture in his left kneecap—the same injury that sidelined Kobe Bryant for much of last season.
Young also missed a number of games last season with a fracture in the same knee, as noted by Bill Oram of the Orange County Register.
Ordinarily one of basketball’s truly joyful and celebratory players, the 29-year-old has clearly struggled with declining production, the challenges off an off-ball system and criticism from his coach.
“What I want him to be is a complete basketball player, not just a one-hit wonder,” Scott said recently, per Serena Winters of Lakers Nation.
During a TWC SportsNet interview with James Worthy, Young addressed the challenges: “When your coach tells you to do something and you’re so used to doing something totally opposite, and trying to incorporate it into your game, you’re just thinking too much out there.”
Asked if Scott has been his toughest coach yet in the NBA, Young replied, “Yeah, by far right now. Not just talking and all that, but the practices are heavy, and he stays on me every day.”
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
